First Reformed Church » handbells

The Bell Choir will Take a Rest

Erie Beemsterboer — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:11:58 +0000

The Bell Choir played a rendition of “Come O Come Emmanuel” with a small choir. We had some last minute help from alumni choir members, and it all came together. It sounds great in the pews, gathering from people’s comments. Now the Bells will take a rest. Rehearsals will begin again in February.

This is a great time to think about whether your want to join the Bell Choir, we can certainly use a few more players to get us back to playing 3 octaves, which also produces a nice brighter sound. Let me know if you want to join the choir so I can tell you all about it!

Bells Take a Rest

Erie Beemsterboer — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 17:21:06 +0000

During the summer months. the bells and the ringers will take a rest. Early in September, I will ask for volunteers to give the bells a good polish, so they will be shining and nice when we start rehearsing and playing again. Let me know if you want to play or can help with the cleaning, so I can take all of it into account when planning for the Fall.

It does not take much to be able to play, as long as you can count and follow two notes (if needed, colored for your part) you can try it. We welcome young and old up in the balcony to come and join us on Sunday mornings

Handbells

Erie Beemsterboer — Fri, 06 May 2011 15:51:41 +0000

The bell choir is working very hard on a new piece; it is a challenge for all of us. Some ringers are working on new techniques; most of us are working with a rhythm that is somewhat unfamiliar. When we are practicing, it starts to sound very nice. We will play this during Mother’s Day service, and then work on one more piece before the bells get a summer rest.

Bell Choir Notes

Erie Beemsterboer — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:05:48 +0000

We are all excited in Bell Choir. We have a new practice place! Come in the sanctuary between 9:50 and 10:20 a.m. on a Sunday morning and you can hear us play and practice.

Mr. Guy Suabedissen has made two tables for us which go over the last pew on the balcony. It is a little tight right now, so we have asked him to make another table. Soon we will have enough room in front and behind us as well as enough elbow room.

You will be hearing Christmas music floating down from the balcony when you come in as we are preparing for the Christmas season. If you want to see the tables, you are welcome to come up the stairs and have a look.

Three octaves of bells cleaned

Erie Beemsterboer — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:56:38 +0000

Ever heard of the saying, “Many hands make light work?” On Saturday, Jan 9th, we proved that it is true. With eleven people around one table, we cleaned three octaves of bells in 30 minutes! Thank you Allison, Susan, Liz, Norma, Ellen, Margaret, Ben, Irina, Sarah and Nicole.

Now that the bells are shiny again, we have started to work on two new music pieces. In addition, we are looking towards Easter for some more music.

Bell Shining

Erie Beemsterboer — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 14:41:33 +0000

So many of you came to me after the service on Dec 13th to tell how much you liked the combined performance of the choir and bell choir. It was a challenge for us, as some of the ringers are not used to have someone starting to sing behind them “all of a sudden”, while others had to work on getting the swing technique right. Some singers had never sung to bell music. Overall, it came together really nice.

Thank you Ben, for finding “Joy in the morning” for all of us!

The next time the bells were used was at Christmas Eve. I hope those of you who got to ring a bell enjoyed doing so.

Now it is time to get all the bells shining again. They are really in need of a good cleaning. So on Jan 9th at 9.30 a.m., we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for this job. It is important that we do this, as it is a major part of the upkeep of our bells. I will make sure that all the supplies are there, so just let me know that you will be helping me with this task.